Friday, October 5, 2012

Shaking The Lulav

This is what it says in the Bible:

Leviticus 23:40 And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. (English Standard Version)





So this is what we do. We take the three branches of trees mentioned (palm fond/lulav, hadass/myrtle and aravah/willow and we bind them together. We hold the fruit of splendid trees (interpreted as an etrog/citron) together with the bound branches and we shake it all about. I'm not being funny. We say a blessing and shake towards the four compass points and up and down, to show that God is everywhere, whilst praying for His mercy and forgiveness. (The Book of Life that we want to be inscribed in for another year is not closed and sealed until the last day of  Sukkot.) We shake the lulav every day of the festival of Sukkot (but, as the song says, not on Shabbat).  


8 comments:

  1. I love all these insights and rituals you share with us. Wasn't sure if that video is a send up? Great fun though XX

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    1. It is a send up but the real thing isn't that much less crazy, just a bit more serious and reverent.

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  2. Crazy but true -this lulav shaking!! Such a silly song but can't get it out my head.
    Gilly

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  3. That video is completely mad, but in a good way :) x

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  4. Diane in Raleigh, NCOctober 5, 2012 at 11:01 PM

    Midlife Singlemum, keep your videos coming! Thank you for sharing these with us for I send it on to my friends here in Raleigh. It is great for the kids here in the States, especially in Raleigh, need i say more ;) for my son gets to see what y'all do there, and the real there to us here ;) Anyways, thanks again. Plus, you little computer breaking escapade was too funny!

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    1. I really appreciate your comments Diane and I'm thrilled if you share posts with your friends. Thank you.

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